EDITORIAL: Don't overlook impact of ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 10:45 AM.

Years from now, when we look back on the summer of 2014, what will we remember?

'Guardians of the Galaxy' ruling the box office?

How Meghan Trainor made it OK to be 'All About that Bass'?

Or how we fought off the summer heat for a good cause with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge?

Recipients of the challenge can either donate $10 to ALS research and record themselves doing the challenge or donate $100 to opt out of dousing themselves with ice cold water.

And, once challenged, you have only 24 hours to respond.

The campaign, in which you record yourself dumping a bucket of ice water over your head to raise awareness of ALS, to raise money to fight the disease, and to challenge others to do the same, went viral through social media.

Pull up your Facebook on any given day and you're likely to see numerous friends participating.

Even former President George W. Bush participated, challenging former President Bill Clinton to do the same.

LeBron James did it. Same with Justin Bieber, Weird Al, Russell Brand, Charlie Sheen, Bill Gates and countless other celebrities.

Even local churches and sports teams here in Cleveland County have taken part.

It's become the cool thing to do.

But let's not overlook the impact.

Campaigns like the ALWS Ice Bucket Challenge affect real people. People in our own community. People like David Wilson.

David was diagnosed with ALWS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in 2008.

In the years since, he has lost the ability to move the muscles in his body. A ventilator breathes for him.

He can feel, see and hear, but he can't talk. He communicates by using his eyes or his bottom lip to select letters or phrases on the computer screen.

In recent years, the David Wilson "Pass the Gift" fundraiser has been held to help his family and others like them who have been affected by a devestating illness.

This year, Wilson, a lifelong Shelby resident, chose Brian & Violet Dukes as the recipients of the fundraiser.

In March, just one week after the birth of his daughter, Brian Dukes was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack its nerves.

Immediately, he was spending most of his time in a hospital room, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, and was completely paralyzed. His road to recovery continues.

The "Pass the Gift" event is planned for Sept. 13 at the Cleveland Country Club, and will include several bands playing live music, a golf tournament and other festivities.

If the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge isn't your thing, consider this as another way to help those affected.

For more information on this year's event, find 'Pass the Gift Fundraiser' on Facebook or visit rollinandrockinpassthegift.com.

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Years from now, when we look back on the summer of 2014, what will we remember?

'Guardians of the Galaxy' ruling the box office?

How Meghan Trainor made it OK to be 'All About that Bass'?

Or how we fought off the summer heat for a good cause with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge?

Recipients of the challenge can either donate $10 to ALS research and record themselves doing the challenge or donate $100 to opt out of dousing themselves with ice cold water.

And, once challenged, you have only 24 hours to respond.

The campaign, in which you record yourself dumping a bucket of ice water over your head to raise awareness of ALS, to raise money to fight the disease, and to challenge others to do the same, went viral through social media.

Pull up your Facebook on any given day and you're likely to see numerous friends participating.

Even former President George W. Bush participated, challenging former President Bill Clinton to do the same.

LeBron James did it. Same with Justin Bieber, Weird Al, Russell Brand, Charlie Sheen, Bill Gates and countless other celebrities.

Even local churches and sports teams here in Cleveland County have taken part.

It's become the cool thing to do.

But let's not overlook the impact.

Campaigns like the ALWS Ice Bucket Challenge affect real people. People in our own community. People like David Wilson.

David was diagnosed with ALWS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in 2008.

In the years since, he has lost the ability to move the muscles in his body. A ventilator breathes for him.

He can feel, see and hear, but he can't talk. He communicates by using his eyes or his bottom lip to select letters or phrases on the computer screen.

In recent years, the David Wilson "Pass the Gift" fundraiser has been held to help his family and others like them who have been affected by a devestating illness.

This year, Wilson, a lifelong Shelby resident, chose Brian & Violet Dukes as the recipients of the fundraiser.

In March, just one week after the birth of his daughter, Brian Dukes was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack its nerves.

Immediately, he was spending most of his time in a hospital room, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, and was completely paralyzed. His road to recovery continues.

The "Pass the Gift" event is planned for Sept. 13 at the Cleveland Country Club, and will include several bands playing live music, a golf tournament and other festivities.

If the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge isn't your thing, consider this as another way to help those affected.

For more information on this year's event, find 'Pass the Gift Fundraiser' on Facebook or visit rollinandrockinpassthegift.com.